Fayemi says Plateau mine disaster preventable, reveals he shut site down in 2017 and operators arrested when he was solid minerals minister.
Former Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, has reacted to the deadly mining incident in Plateau State, describing the loss of lives as avoidable and revealing that the site had previously been shut down under his leadership as minister of solid minerals development.
The tragedy occurred at the Kampani Zurak mining site in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, where about 40 people reportedly died, with several others injured or missing after exposure to carbon monoxide. Fayemi, who served as minister between 2015 and 2018 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, disclosed that enforcement actions had been taken at the same location in 2017 following complaints from the host community.
In a statement posted via X, Fayemi expressed grief over the incident and insisted that it could have been avoided.“I feel pained to learn of the deaths of about 40 people, with several others injured and still missing, at the Kampani Zurak mines in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State. What makes this even more painful is that it was entirely preventable.”
He explained that during his tenure, he visited the site alongside the then National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, and ordered immediate action against illegal operations.
“As Minister of Mines, I visited the Mines with the NSA and Governor following numerous complaints from the community. We embargoed mining at the sites (thenationonlineng.net/plateau-fayemi…), arrested the illegal Chinese operators, and declared the purported owner of the illegal lead and zinc mines, Alhaji Dan China, wanted (premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines…). He was eventually apprehended and brought to book by the National Security Adviser but was released after I left office.”
Fayemi further stated that preliminary findings suggest the recent disaster occurred at the same location, raising concerns over lapses in enforcement after earlier interventions.
“My preliminary discussions with officials of the Ministry, as well as with the former Deputy Speaker and Wase representative in the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Idris Wase, indicate that this tragedy occurred at the same mine. It could have been avoided if the security agencies had sustained the action taken by the Ministry in 2017.”
He concluded by extending condolences to affected families and urging authorities to take stricter action against illegal mining activities.
“My sincere condolences go to the families of the deceased. Government must now take firm and decisive action against operators who violate the law and environmental regulations, regardless of whose interests are affected. Mining activities must not be conducted to the detriment of host communities.”
The federal government has since ordered the closure of the mining site as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
